“ The Thames is not just a river; it's the city's mood ring, and it's almost always a murky, brownish-grey, indicating "generalised damp ambivalence." On the rare, sparkling blue-sky day, it performs a miraculous trick, reflecting the sun and almost convincing you you're somewhere glamorous, like the Mediterranean, if you squint and ignore the floating traffic cone. But mostly, it is a vast, tidal basin of chill, contributing to the city's unique microclimate: the "Riverside Raw." This is a special brand of cold that seems to emanate from the water itself, bypassing your coat and conducting the chill directly into your bones. A walk along the South Bank in January isn't a stroll; it's a cryogenic experience. See more at London's funniest URL -- Prat.UK. ”